The following lessons appeared in the 1777 edition of the New England Primer. Included here is the alphabet lesson, a question answer lesson that appears immediately after the alphabet lesson, and the concluding words in the primer from Nathaniel Clap.
A In ADAM’S Fall
We sinned all.
B Heaven to find;
The Bible Mind.
C Christ crucify’d
For sinners dy’d.
D The Deluge drown’d
The Earth around.
E ELIJAH hid
By Ravens fed.
F The judgment made
FELIX afraid.
G As runs the Glass,
Our Life doth pass.
H My Book and Heart
Must never part.
J JOB feels the Rod,–
Yet blesses GOD.
K Proud Korah’s troop
Was swallowed up
L LOT fled to Zoar,
Saw fiery Shower
On Sodom pour.
M MOSES was he
Who Israel’s Host
Led thro’ the Sea
N NOAH did view
The old world & new.
O Young OBADIAS,
DAVID, JOSIAS,
All were pious.
P PETER deny’d
His Lord and cry’d.
Q Queen ESTHER sues
And saves the Jews.
R Young pious RUTH,
Left all for Truth.
S Young SAM’L dear,
The Lord did fear.
T Young TIMOTHY
Learnt sin to fly.
V VASHTI for Pride
Was set aside.
W Whales in the Sea,
GOD’s Voice obey.
X XERXES did die,
And so must I.
Y While youth do chear
Death may be near.
Z ZACCHEUS he
Did climb the Tree
Our Lord to see.
Who was the first man ? Adam.
Who was the first woman ? Eve.
Who was the first Murderer ? Cain.
Who was the first Martyr ? Abel.
Who was the first Translated ? Enoch.
Who was the oldest Man ? Methuselah.
Who built the Ark ? Noah.
Who was the Patientest Man ? Job.
Who was the Meekest Man ? Moses.
Who led Israel into Canaan ? Joshua.
Who was the strongest Man ? Sampson.
Who killed Goliah ? David.
Who was the wisest Man ? Soloman.
Who was in the Whale’s Belly? Jonah.
Who saves lost Men ? Jesus Christ.
Who is Jesus Christ ? The Son of God.
Who was the Mother of Christ ? Mary.
Who betrayed his Master ? Judas.
Who denied his Master ? Peter.
Who was the first Christian Martyr? Stephen.
Who was chief Apostle of the Gentiles ? Saul.
The concluding words of the 1777 edition of the New England Primer were these:
The late Reverend and Venerable Mr. NATHANIEL CLAP, of Newport on Rhode Island; his Advice to children.
GOOD children should remember daily, God their Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier; to believe in, love and serve him; their parents to obey them in the LORD; their bible and catechism; their baptism; the LORD’s day; the LORD’s death and resurrection; their own death and resurrection; and the day of judgment, when all that are not fit for heaven must be sent to hell. And they Should pray to GOD in the name of CHRIST, for saving grace.
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